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3. The Climbing Frame by William Mitchell (1968)

The Climbing Frame by William Mitchell (1968) - the subway entrance under the Hockley Flyover (Image: Copyright: William Mitchell)

The subway entrance under the Hockley Flyover was decorated with one of William Mitchell’s ‘poured in situ’ concrete artworks.

William Mitchell was born in Maida Vaile in London in 1925, but after having virtually no schooling due to serious illness in childhood, he developed his artistic talents after spending three years in the Royal Navy.

His work can be seen everywhere from London to San Francisco and from Hawaii to Qatar... as well as on the side of Quayside Tower on Broad Street.

Unlike The Egyptian Rooms at Harrods or the bronze sliding doors and carved stone bell tower of the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, the Birmingham works are not listed.

Jonathan's verdict: “I think the Hockley Flyover entrance is amazing concrete art from 1968. It needs much more appreciation to ensure it’s survival.”

5. Birmingham Hippodrome with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the CBSO in Symphony Hall

The Birmingham Royal Ballet has been at the Birmingham Hippodrome since 1990 and is one of the country's three leading companies alongside The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet. The BRB was originally known as Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet from 1946 and then Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet from 1956.

The City of Birmingham Orchestra's inaugural concert was conducted by Sir Edward Elgar in 1920.

Renamed the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1948, the CBSO moved to the world-renowned Symphony Hall when it opened in 1991.

Jonathan's verdict: “These are world class attractions for a great night out."

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6. Victoria Law Courts

Across the road is another terracotta gem, the 1903-04 Methodist Central Hall which is Grade II* listed and could soon become a hotel.

Cafe Artum has also opened nearby, too - a vinyl record store crossed with art shop and coffee bar.

But the real star of Corporation street is the Victoria Law Courts building - the foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria herself on March 23, 1887, on her first public appearance in the year of her Golden Jubilee.

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7. The Bartons Arms pub on the A34 in Aston

Based on Aston Hall, the Bartons Arms was built in 1901 as one of a series of terracotta and tiles pubs designed by architects James & Lister Lea.

Since then, showbiz stars from Laurel & Hardy to Charlie Chaplin and Ozzy Osbourne have passed through its doors and in 1974, a young ATV reporter called Bob Warman made a six-minute film which has been archived by the BFI as part of its Britain on Film collection.

“Take a look around,” says Bob, the future Central News’ anchorman.

Urinals at the Bartons Arms (Image: Copyright: Jonathan Berg)

“This isn’t a pub. It’s a palace.

“It’s a magnificent profusion of colours. Beautiful, glazed tiles almost dazzling in their splendour.”

Jonathan's verdict: “I love the original features and the Thai food and beer is great as well.”

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9. Moseley Road Baths

Designed by the architects William Hale and Son for the city council, and opened in 1907, its Grade II* listing means that it is in the country's top six per cent of all listed buildings.

A group called The Friends of Moseley Baths was formed in 2006 to try to save the site and its wonderful Edwardian ambiance.

It is believed the cost of a full restoration would be £30 million but for now Moseley Road Baths has been thrown a £1 million life belt.

It was announced in February 2018 that a £650,000 grant from Historic England, topped up with £100,000 city council investment, would pay for the restoration and repair of the crumbling Gala Pool roof.

Further grants and investment from the World Monuments Fund (£100,000), the National Trust (worth £300,000) and city council (£25,000) will also go towards further repairs.

Jonathan's verdict: “A wonderful building. I have never swum their yet but need to!”

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12. Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square

A garden terrace at the Library of Birmingham (Image: Copyright: Jonathan Berg)

The Library of Birmingham was opened in September 2013 by Malala Yousufzai - the shot Pakistani schoolgirl whose life was saved iby city surgeons.

She was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize a year later and is now a student at Oxford University.

Built to replace the now demolished former Central Library, which was closed in July 2013, the Library of Birmingham cost £188 million and is the largest public library in the UK.

Reading at the Library of Birmingham (Image: Copyright: Jonathan Berg)

But its opening hours were drastically cut back in 2015 by cash-strapped Birmingham City Council.

Despite the vast cost of construction and its excellent viewing gardens, it is only open from 11am to 7pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 11am to 5pm from Wednesday to Saturday, with admission prohibited at least 15 minutes before closing time.

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New hotels coming to Birmingham

Jonathan's verdict: “We start our Positively Birmingham tour here. There are fantastic, friendly staff but what I really like is to see every desk taken with people studying.

“That is the real purpose of a library and it reminds me of when I was at school and discovered Bristol Central Library to revise for my exams – we all need our own special place to revise and our new library offers that.

“It’s just a shame about the opening hours!”

And the reason for its return might surprise you.

Jonathan's view on Birmingham's tourism shops

“I was losing places to sell the book before,” says Jonathan, a clinical scientist at City Hospital.

“The city council began to close its tourist information centres, including the one on New Street that was outside what is now the new Apple store.